Is it better to buy saffron at the spice bazaar or the grand bazaar? What is a good price to pay for saffron (good quality)? Are there any tips or rules to bringing spices home to US? Thanks for any guidance.
Posted by
Southeastern USA
996 posts
The last time I flew international last year, the airlines were making a big deal about having powders (such as spices) in your carryon luggage. You'd need to check the TSA website for the latest information, but I believe there was a specific limit for powders in carryon bags. You could pack as many spices as you liked in your checked luggage.
Take along a couple of good quality plastic bags to store your spices in your luggage. It would be a shame for them to come open in your suitcase and stain your clothes!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15582 posts
You are buying strands, not powder, right? Food stuffs are in the spice bazaar - dried and fresh fruits and nuts, lokum (turkish delight) in dozens of flavors and you can taste them all, fresh ground coffee, teas, whole and ground spices and more. I don't remember seeing any of that in the grand bazaar, though I didn't spend a lot of time there. The spice bazaar is most crowded on Sundays. Prices are cheaper in the stands surrounding the covered bazaar and quality appears to be the same.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15582 posts
Whether it's Iranian or not, I don't know. Saffron is very reasonably priced in Turkey and Greece so I just figured it's grown there.
Posted by
OP
Gardnerville, NV, USA
9 posts
Thank you for all the help.